The Character Assassination of Hillary Clinton

This time it's Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whose fall and concussion, followed by a blood clot between her brain and skull, has prompted an embarrassment of theories. The gist: That woman will do anything to avoid testifying about Benghazi.

Several commentators on the right opined via Twitter and TV, those most deadly hosts for the parasites of rumor and innuendo, that Clinton was faking her concussion to duck out on her appearance before congressional committees investigating the attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Libya that killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.

An independent report published last month placed substantial responsibility for the deaths on the State Department. Not only was security at the Benghazi compound weak, relying heavily on local forces with conflicting loyalties, but requests for additional security apparently were ignored or denied.

The sentiment that Clinton might not wish to testify on the matter is not without reason. It is hard to imagine the agony of knowing that one's lack of vigilance may have contributed to four deaths. But the attacks on Clinton during her illness, essentially attacks on her character, have been cruel and unfair. What must the world think of us?

Clinton, who fainted as a result of dehydration after a bout of flu, hit her head and suffered a concussion, after which a blood clot was discovered. She had to be hospitalized while blood-thinning medications were administered and monitored.

Although her critics backed off once the clot was reported, initial responses ranged from "She's faking" to demands for proof of her concussion.

One writer demanded her medical records. John Bolton, former ambassador to the United Nations, called Clinton's affliction a "diplomatic illness" to avoid testifying about Benghazi. Later he suggested that details were skimpy in an effort to protect her potential 2016 presidential run.

"I think it's the too-cute-by-half approach that's reflected in the absence of transparency that's going to end up damaging her and damaging her credibility," he said on Fox News.

Again, Clinton may well prefer to miss her day before the firing squad, but it is unlikely that doctors or a hospital would assist a secretary of state - or anyone - in concocting a fake affliction.

Besides, you can't have it every which way. Immediately after the Benghazi attacks, Clinton took full responsibility for the events and was accused by Republicans of falling on her sword to protect President Obama. Now that she's temporarily indisposed and unable to elaborate on her admitted responsibility, those same critics insist she's trying to avoid taking personal responsibility.

The viciousness of the pundit class is disheartening and disgusting. And these days everyone's a pundit. Got an opinion? Why, step right up to the microphone. If you're "good TV," you too can be a "contributor."

Out in the hinterlands, where Americans consume "news" that suits their political proclivities, opinions are formed on the basis of what-he-said. Reputations and lives are ruined on the tines of pitchforks glimmering in the light of torch-bearing mobs. And those are just the "news" shows.

One doesn't have to be a fan of Hillary Clinton, though a Bloomberg poll says that two-thirds of Americans are, to feel tainted by the relish with which she and many others have been attacked - unfairly and disproportionately. Susan Rice, who was Obama's favorite to replace Clinton as secretary of state, comes to mind.

But this isn't a problem only for women or Democrats. The rush to character assassination seems to be our only bipartisan imperative and is a blight on our political system. In this brooding age of superstition and portent, every misspoken word is a lie, every human error a hanging offense.

This is to suggest not that we be naive or credulous but that we seek some balance in our approach to discovery. At the moment, we seem to be ricocheting between hysteria and delusion.

Eventually, Clinton will have to step forward and take her medicine. She is slated to appear before the House Foreign Affairs Committee in mid-January, though the date hasn't been set. The nation clearly needs answers on what happened in Benghazi, and no doubt Clinton will provide them.

This is not blind faith in a favored politician but respect for a process that relies on accepted rules of order. We owe our representative to the world - which is to say, ourselves - at least this much.

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"This is not blind faith in a favored politician but respect for a process that relies on accepted rules of order. We owe our representative to the world - which is to say, ourselves - at least this much."

yes, Kathleen Parker and The Washington Post have a blind faith in our America system and it's "process". Okay, you can fool me once, but once is all you get. Our system is corrupted.

Drone baby, Drone.....Da*n few politicians (Bernie Sanders is one of the few who comes close) speak for me, or for a sane or just system which will leave anything either livable, or worth living in, for anything's futures.

Unless, W, the people, get off our apathetic entitled consumer asses, and demand, support, and create a world worth living in, based on something besides legitimate rapist bankers, endless wars,and reducing all life to a $ value to be exploited for personal gain, then, we are an absolute failure as a species.

We are up against the wall of Nature folks, and what are we going to choose?

Pass the cake and the Koolaid? Shop on Buy?

Or choose love and respect and conserve/protect the commons of Nature for ALL?

Note that neither Parker nor any of the commentators here mention Hillary Clinton's sadistic, sanctimonious remarks about the murder of Khadafi, or her vicious advocacy of the slaughter of the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, and Libya. Americans will not let a little genocide stand in the way of a personality cult.

Note that neither Parker nor any of the commentators here mention Hillary Clinton's sadistic, sanctimonious remarks about the murder of Khadafi, or her vicious advocacy of the slaughter of the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, and Libya. Americans will not let a little genocide stand in the way of a personality cult.

This is an odd article to ground political comment. Clinton, Like Bush, Obama, W. Clinton, Reagan, Kennedy, LBJ, etc is a war criminal. BUT the article is not about serious politics; it is about personal attacks on a person in abstraction from her politics. I don't know why RSN bothered to post it. I personally don't like gossip, even if it refers to someone I dislike.

I have never forgotten the lies and scam surrounding Vince Foster's death. The supposed suicide was set up with many errors. For one, when a person shoots themselves in the head, as was this case with Vince Foster, blood spatters profusely.No blood splatters on bushes behind where he lied, nor on the grass beside him. Hmmmm? Another telling goof-up was that Vince Foster had absolutely NO grass or soil on the soles of his shoes, an impossibility if he walked from his parked car and then walked to the grassy place where he was suppose to kill himself. It was a poor job, not by skilled assassins, that's for sure.But good enough for the cover-up.

Groan. Not this again. Three separate investigations ruled Foster's death a suicide, despite desperate GOP efforts to label it murder. Not even Ken Starr could make this turkey fly, so why are people still peddling it?

Remember Bush/Cheney? Those "unconvicted" infamous crooks need to be careful where they wish to vacation. There are countries which have standing arrest warrants waiting for them at as they step off the plane, respective airports. And, some eastern U.S. states have standing arrest warrants waiting for them. Don't believe it? Look this information up on your computer.

Well put, Johnny. Clinton is as much behind the slaughter of millions for the increased profit and power of our wealthy few as her husband, Obama or the Bushes etc. People prefer to remain in denial about this so as to maintain a reality they can be comfortable with regardless of the facts. The same is true regarding the destruction of the environment and the rise of the police state. People would rather be comfortable continuing to believe the falsehoods they've been fed their entire lives than accept something as obvious as Clinton's constant support for our government's murderous foreign policy etc.

As typical of your ilk, you do a lot of screaming but no facts to back up the temper tantrum.

How about: NAFTA, Welfare "reform", and financial deregulation (doing away with Glass-Steagal) on the domestic front and pushing for the sanctions against Iraq on the foreign policy side (which according the the UN was responsible for the deaths of at least 1/2 million children) not to mention the illegal overthrow/coup of the democratically elected President of Haiti (Aristide). Facts...not a temper tantrum.

I think you have a good point. I'm just trying to find it? ".......that relies on accepted rules of order. Where were the "accepted rules or order" when Bush/Cheney invaded Iraq and 500,000 civilians and military people were killed just to steal their oil? U.S.Service men and women coming home with legs and arms blown off, sever mental disabilities, children being born to them with biological defects. Use of nuclear ammunition (UD) approved by bush and Cheney which makes Southern Iraq "hot" for millions of years to come. 7-10 fold (not %) increase in cancer rates-Southern Iraq. George Bernard Shaw:"the longer I'm here, the more I'm convinced this planet is used as an asylum for the insane." Few years ago, Republicans won the house. They then went insane with power-didn't last. Their current "bitch." Just wait 'til 2016. For what? More insanity?

Yes, our system is corrupted -- by a gang of idiot-pundits whose only way of life is mud-slinging, with mud of their invention. They're called Republicans. I call them "psychoceramciists" -- crackpots! Be careful lest you land in the same cesspool.

You had me right up to the comment about this being a bipartisan problem. Although there have certainly been times those with a more liberal bent have been out of line, I cannot recall an incident of the viciousness and snideness regularly tossed around by the right wing (this time personified by John Bolton), Faux "News" crowd, nor can I recall a genuine apology offered once the "theories" they promulgate disguised as facts are finally refuted. In some effort to be seen as fair, the media ends up smearing all instead of practicing a more refined aim. Hillary Clinton was slandered, and John Bolton and the current Faux News blond bombshell should apologize.

Amen to all of that, opinionaire. About 90 percent of this kind of crap belongs to conservatives, and the bulk of that to their nutcase faction like Bolton, Graham, Inhoffe, Hannity, Rove, Limbaugh, etc, etc. Damn right Mrs. Clinton is owed an apology, but would you like to bet she'll get one from this bunch of sleazebags?

You are correct, but this is all boils down to power, money and control. So they won't waste their time ever apologizing. They got far too many poor and indigent to crucify for the high crime of being poor and idigent.

Absolutely correct. Sad to say. I admire your verbal restraint: I'm not sure I would have been able to characterize the relevant old men as "grumpy". I'd have surely used a much stronger, much more negative term. I'm 60 years old, and I'm getting really really tired of the worldwide male chauvinism. At least in the US we women can open our mouths and complain without being afraid of having acid poured in.

Totally agree... Especially smart women. With that said, Hillary is in need of a personal image consultant. Look at the pictures her enemies use when lobbing grenades at her.

She needs a hair cut and new clothing designer. Her jewelry selection reminds me of my mother who died in 1969. A little nip and tuck might also help the scowl that is seemingly caught in every unsuspected photo.

Totally agree... Especially smart women. With that said, Hillary is in need of a personal image consultant. Look at the pictures her enemies use when lobbing grenades at her.

She needs a hair cut and new clothing designer. Her jewelry selection reminds me of my mother who died in 1969. A little nip and tuck might also help the scowl that is seemingly caught in every unsuspected photo.

This goes down as the most chauvinistic comment of the year. A bit of the "Queen Bee" syndrome.

Her personal style is a reflection of how she takes care of herself. When Hillary was campaigning in 2008 for her party's nomination, she looked fabulous: well-dressed, good haircut, great makeup, good energy. Since becoming Secretary of State, and travelling over one million miles, it seems that she has neglected her health and her appearance. The end result is that she is overweight, tired, and ill. As a public figure, it is important that she take better care of herself. In an interview with Deepok Chopra in 'O' magazine Oprah Winfreyasked Deepok how he was feeling after their journey to India. He said he felt rested; she replied she felt exhausted: the difference? Deepok had taken a nap, meditated, and included a therapeutic massage. Oprah had continued to workwithout a break. Seems like Hillary may also be one of those "women who do too much".

Totally agree... Especially smart women. With that said, Hillary is in need of a personal image consultant. Look at the pictures her enemies use when lobbing grenades at her.

She needs a hair cut and new clothing designer. Her jewelry selection reminds me of my mother who died in 1969. A little nip and tuck might also help the scowl that is seemingly caught in every unsuspected photo.

Ever seen a picture of Mitch McConnell? Compared to him Hillary is a beauty queen. But what matters is whaat's inside, not outside. Mitch McTurtle is rotten to the core and hates democracy. There's where your attacks should be aimed.

Did the woman every have any down time? Hell, she's probably getting the first rest she has had since her appointment.

She probably got the blood clot from so much long-distance plane travel, every think of that?

If I were on my death bed and I had to put my affairs in someone's hads, do you think I would pick Mitt Romney, George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan or sorry to say, any of our male leaders. I would pick Elizabeth Warren or Hillary Clinton. Both are equally as competent and able. We need what they've got and we need it NOW!

As a slip-and-fall concussion victim, I urge understanding and patience. Such injuries are extremely dangerous, with ongoing complications and pain.

Such vicious thinking is the lock step way of America's reich (not "right")--always has been, always will be. At best, they are disgraceful; at worst, they tempt Karma. And invite resulting Calamity into their own lives.

I'm so sick and tired of this male chauvinistic crap. I've put up with it every single day of my 60 years on this planet. Enough already! If I disagree with any of Ms Parker's points here, it's to say she doesn't give enough credit to the instinctive senior white male anti-smart-female attack mode.

John Bolton as well as others who said what they said are a disgrace to this country and to themselves. A pompous fool and ass. He should be tarred and feathered, ridden hard and put up wet, left out to dry on a spear of his own making. Maybe he will get a real blood clot and see what it is like. He already has a symbolic blood clot in his numbskull.

How can you possibly "character assassinate" somebody who says of the brutal murder of a president, after the mass slaughter of his country's people by NATO, "We came, he died, giggle"? Such a sadistic scumbag has no character to assassinate.

You're absolutely right Johnnie. As a long time admirer of Qaddafi I thought her comment was totally out of order and beneath that expected from one occupying the office she holds. The true story of the overt over throw of Qaddafi will shock reasonable people. I would just like to point out that during his entire tenure as head of the true Libyan revolution the word "inflation" didn't apply to the Libyan economy. The government "ate" any externalor internal influences on the value of the Libyan currency. What other head of any government anywhere can make such a claim?

As someone who suffered an out-of-the-blue stroke stemming from a rare hypercoagulative disorder, I find the Boltons' and the Faux-Newsers' mean-spirited responses appallingly cruel. Any sort of brain injury is disorienting and embarrassing for the injured and terrifying for the family. How could anybody with any sense of decency not be touched by the pictures of a terrified Chelsea Clinton leaving the hospital? Mrs. Clinton and her family deserve our sympathy and our good wishes, not the usual brutal mudslinging that accompanies them--and too many other Democrats--everywhere they go.

"Reagan's soft signs of dementia throughout his second term?"ghostperson-You knew about this? The guy the GOP wanted to put on Mount Rushmore showed signs of dementia throughout his 2nd term and we the American people were not informed about it...scandalous, simply scandalous! If I remember correctly, to even suggest such a thing about the "great communicator" would get you a visit from Secret Service or the FBI, or both, plus the NSC, et al.Reagan was an actor, giving the best performance of his career, in a theater called "The White House."

We must all remember that after Reagan swore to protect the US Constitution, and therefore the people of the United States, he went ahead and fired all the people who were trying, under very stressful circumstances, to protect the flying public. Reagan's agenda was to bust unions, because that is what his handlers were 'directing' him to do, and he was very familiar with taking direction when he was playing a part. Period; end of story!

Rombo Reagan was the most overrated nincompoop who ever occupied the White House. 138 of his administration were investigated and most charged and many went to prison. More would have gone if Bush had not pardoned them. During his 'reign' these attacks were made on embassies:18 April 1983-Beirut, Lebanon – Car bomb destroys Embassy – 63 killed.12 December 1983-Kuwait City, Kuwait – Truck bomb at Embassy – 6 killed.20 September 1984- Beirut, Lebanon – Truck bomb at Embassy – 24 killed.November 1984 Bogota, Colombia – Car bomb at Embassy – 1 killed.

During the Iran-Contra scandal, he sat in his residence in the White House in his pajamas watching his old movies and there was some discussion of invoking an emergency powers act of sometype against him because he was non-functional.

Reagan was a Chancy Gardner-like figure as seen in the film "Being There."

What I resent most about our "leaders" and their handlers is being treated like a mushroom, covered with manure and kept in the dake. If this is democracy then our Constitution and its amendments are a pack of lies agreed upon, just like history.

There are two questions here. One is the absurdity of accusing Clinton of faking this to avoid testifying about Benghazi.

The other is suspicion about what's really wrong with her and what really happened. Of course they would never lie to us, and so we can trust them to tell us the truth. Still, blood thinners are not prescribed for bleeding inside the head, because who needs more bleeding there?

And that Clinton is a person of integrity or common decency is preposterous. She's a bloodthirsty instrument of ruthless imperial policy, who in the manner of Madeleine Albright gloated over the prospect of nuking Iranian cities. If she were doing and saying exactly the same things on behalf of Bush, as Condoleeza Rice did, this would be much more clear to some of us here.

There are two questions here. One is the absurdity of accusing Clinton of faking this to avoid testifying about Benghazi.

The other is suspicion about what's really wrong with her and what really happened. Of course they would never lie to us, and so we can trust them to tell us the truth. Still, blood thinners are not prescribed for bleeding inside the head, because who needs more bleeding there?

And that Clinton is a person of integrity or common decency is preposterous. She's a bloodthirsty instrument of ruthless imperial policy, who in the manner of Madeleine Albright gloated over the prospect of nuking Iranian cities. If she were doing and saying exactly the same things on behalf of Bush, as Condoleeza Rice did, this would be much more clear to some of us here.

The type of clot Mrs. Clinton developed is a sinus venous thrombosis. As explained by Dr. Larry Goldstein, director of Duke University's stroke center, the clot developed in a "drainage channel" and is one of the few types treated with blood thinners.

You are correct. Blood thinners are not prescribed for cranial bleeding.

But what does that have to do with Ms. Clinton and the situation at hand? She is being treated with blood thinners for a venous thrombosis, the opposite of bleeding. You do understand the difference, don't you?

I think it is likely that we are hearing the truth about Hillary's injury, but I don't think it's at all surprising that the coincidence of it's timing would be taken advantage of by the likes of Fox etc. Especially when the State Dept. persisted in lying about what happened long after the truth had come out. Perhaps she is owed and apology for that, but i totally agree with your last paragraph. She is a bloodthirsty corporate imperialist. Her statements about "obliterating" Iran were far nuttier and scarier than Ahmadinejad talking about wiping out Israel's borders.

Clinton, should she have to step up and take her medicine, will be able to demonstrate that the problems in the State Department are system issues that run all the way back to Congress and what the theater of it all is simply doing is looking like something is being done, which is foolish at least. Our leaders and the courting news industry does not take the time to work through who we really got here, why and how. She will be fine once she has her health.

This incident was a creation of the Republicans and media. The Ambassador was the point man in the war against Qadaffi and Libya, which started with attempts to assasinate Qadaffi, then NATO bombings killing thousands of people orchastrated the the U.S. and Clinton. He is a casualty of another American war, not a victim of terrorism or loose security.

The real critique of Clinto is that she is the Guardian of Empire and plays the role quite dutifully.

It is always possible that her outing of the vast right wing conspiracy before they had fully implemented their plans was not appreciated ... to say nothing of the fear they have of the potential contrast of maturity and experience with Rubiosity and Ryan for 2016.

It is always possible that her outing of the vast right wing conspiracy before they had fully implemented their plans was not appreciated ... to say nothing of the fear they have of the potential contrast of maturity and experience with Rubiosity and Ryan for 2016.

I thought the Republican package was set up to be Jeb Bush with a sidekick. Maybe Michelle Bachman to make the ticket look progressive?

Faking it? Really? A relative of mine suffered a concussion and brain hemorrhage from a simple slip-and-fall, and after three months in the hospital, he died.

I truly hope for Hillary's sake that she fully recovers from this life-threatening injury. I also hope for the country's sake that the despicable ogres who politicize this and every other tragedy never sink lower than they already have.

Why ever would we have expected less from those who pursued both Clintons like the hounds of hell?

The beauty of wingnuts having carped till their vocal cords and writing fingers are frayed is that we are virtually immunized to it. It is now expected and is basically like that Larson's Far Side cartoon which shows that the only thing a dog hears from what his owner is saying is "bla, bla, bla, bla, bla."

"character assassination seems to be our only bipartisan imperative"I don't see liberals, of any consequence, lying about Republicans or cooking up wild conspiracy theories. GOP Senator Crapo just got busted for DUI nearly double the state the legal limit. I don't see any Democrat demanding his hide or anything else.I cannot agree that the campaign of character assassination is bipartisan. It's not. David Vitter is still in the Senate.

Unfortunately, here I have to disagree with you. Do you remember when they were reviving the stupid debate about President Obama's birth certificate and school record and tax filing? He stood on the floor of the Congress and said Romney was a "criminal tax evader" but he never offered any proof? I know that there was no proof ever offered to refute the claim but neither was there any to prove it. And, as far as I know Reid never apologized. Believe me, I am not a romney supporter by any means but if we're gonna have ir presented truly, we have to affirm that it does happen on both sides and it is despicable.

I don't mind the negative but I am wondering if it's because the statement is true and someone doesn't believe it or if someone is unwilling to call the unsubstantiated term criminal tax evader a character assassination. Hey, even Jon Stewart said it was a dumb thing to do.

Could be a syntax problem. From the structure of your sentence, it appears you were saying that President Obama made those statements, when it was actually Harry Reid. It is true, though, that in spite of consistent and significant pressure, Romney's taxes were never aired. Given the outcome of the election, his failure to do so does seem odd, and tends to suggest there were REALLY BIG problems hidden there.

The Ambassador should have fled Benghazi when he didn't get the protection he asked for. People forget that nearly every US Embassy in the region was being attacked by rioters. It was perfectly natural to assume this was other rioters. In fact we still have no idea who it was exactly.And even if the CIA & administration knew who it was they shouldn't have said they knew. You don't catch perpetrators by announcing you know who they are and you're coming after them.It's a covert war and that means you keep as much secret as you can just like the terrorists do.

The most important fact to remember, and the most important fact the Right forgot, AGAIN--is that Clinton took full blame for the tragedy long before her fall prevented her from testifying in December.

Great point which completely disarms the attack against her. Also, a previous point: "The Ambassador should have fled Benghazi when he didn't get the protection he asked for. People forget that nearly every US Embassy in the region was being attacked by rioters."

Strange how the conservatives here who wanted to "nuke all the Muslims and let God sort 'em out." are suddenly mourning a bunch a dead Libyans they (again falsely) allege were killed by NATO. It's just not true. RSN shouldn't publish any post which contains demonstrably false information. It's as bad as FOX News letting Bolton spew his hateful false rhetoric.The NATO aircraft stopped the slaughter of civilians by Gaddafi's air force. There's is zero evidence they "killed 1000s of Libyans and no Libyan has made the charge.

You had better take another look into your oracle Oracle. The whole operation had nothing to do with Gaddafi "slaughtering innocent civilians", it was all about his covert removal and followed a carefully orchestrated script right from the start. Unfortunately they left out the live pictures of the teeming masses protesting against their oppressive leader ala Mubarak and Egypt. Think again Oracle - they're weren't any live pictures because they're weren't any teeming protesting masses needing to be rescued.

While Ms. Clinton is not my favorite politician because she is too far to the right, she is still, by many orders of magnitude, superior to the sewage spawn that is casting aspersions on her character.

Would whoever is perfect please stand up and be counted. As for the other self-congratulating rage-aholics, you provide evidence of your own ignorance with such biased monologues. Hilary has done a difficult job and done it well. She's not perfect, and we don't all agree on foreign policy. However, she is implementing the policies our elected representatives want her to establish to the best of her ability. I frankly think the USA is less threatened than 5 years ago. I also think her work on behalf of the women of the world it an invaluable contribution to the hope of peace.

Would whoever is perfect please stand up and be counted. As for the other self-congratulating rage-aholics, you provide evidence of your own ignorance with such biased monologues. Hilary has done a difficult job and done it well. She's not perfect, and we don't all agree on foreign policy. However, she is implementing the policies our elected representatives want her to establish to the best of her ability. I frankly think the USA is less threatened than 5 years ago. I also think her work on behalf of the women of the world it an invaluable contribution to the hope of peace.

Not Perfect? Is that how you label someone sho has supported and continues to support policies that amount to war crimes; who has supported every adventuristic US military intervention since Bill was President (including the illegal overthrow of two democratically elected Presidents -- Haiti and Honduras); who fully supports the Patriot Act, the MDAA, a Presidential assassination list, rendition programs that result in torture; Welfare "reform" that Robert Reich resigned over and began the full frontal attack on the new deal welfare state? What "peace" has this woman ever worked for?Does one have to be "perfect" to oppose such policies and condemn anyone that does?

The country is being controlled and led by Republican power-corrupted big shots who must maintain this kind of psychopathic mindset who jump from one ridiculous world view to the next with aplomb and have developed the talent to ignore anything, truth, people, the Constitution, justice, etc

We have a very toxic and sick country, and these people need to be removed from power. They are not going to let go of it, and they need to have their fingers pried from the lever of power ... come on people - PRY!

It hasn't occurred to me that Hilary Clinton is faking concussion and blood clots. What caught my eye in the article is the assertion, "The sentiment that Clinton might not wish to testify on the matter is not without reason. It is hard to imagine the agony of knowing that one's lack of vigilance may have contributed to four deaths."It may well be that Sec of State Clinton in in agony knowing that her lack of vigilance may have contributed to four deaths at the Libya embassy. However, I see no indication on Hilary's part that she is in ANY agony at a far greater number of deaths of innocent children in Gaza or Palestine or Afghanistan or Pakistan. THAT is what troubles me, a woman of similar age and educational background to Hilary.

Interesting. It seems that US foreign policy does include "endless war"; not sure what can be done about it; but have to agree that bombing other countries is the road to ruin, especially as it is part of the "War on Terror" which will never end, as it is not about a person, or a country; but about fear and paranoia. A new enemy pops up when a previous one is killed. (circa Bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, Quadaffi).

Conspiracy theories is like religion: they exist to make us feel better. And I trust neither government nor religious institutions.

However, since I choose not to run for public office, I'm left w/choosing to support those that do, which like every other commoner, is based on ideology- again like religion. If money was not involved in politics, men & women wouldn't compromise integrity once elected into office, (or appointed). Unfortunately, the almighty greenback dictates who rules; thus leaving us peasants with only conspiracy theories and living thru the aftermath of their destruction, or benefits of what they do when they do good.

Personally, I think Pearl Harbor, like "9-11," could've been avoided but the malfeasance within the confines of top secret American governance allowed it to happen- to get the results that ensued afterwards. I never believed Kennedy was assassinated by a Russian fall-guy and I think Jaquie probably found out who killed her husband and choose to take that to her grave.

Adding to the tragic headlines is when celebrities get more attention than the good people who disappear, such as the late Senator Paul Wellstone. I care more to find what really brought his plane down, more than I care if O.J. did or didn't "do it." So as for Hillary, I just wish her well.

Character assassination of the Clintons – ANY Clinton – is a long-standing Republican tradition. Rush Limbaugh said on Bill Clinton's first inauguration day, "America held hostage: Day one." With no public support and not enough votes to remove him from office, they impeached him on totally fabricated charges. Then they yelled "Wag the dog!" when he was trying to drop a missile on Osama bin Laden. They sneered at Hillarycare. Limbaugh even said there was a "White House dog" and showed a photo of Chelsea at 13. The Republicans' viciousness is so extreme it's almost cartoonish.

Yes, because it is republican it must be wrong so therefore Clinton must be good. You are a typical sheep and as bad as the republicans. Clinton is horrible because she has been war-mongering and murderous on a genocidal scale. The record shows this but these lame boat RSN liberals are too ignorant and scared to see both dems and reps are working for the big banks and not them. They prefer to buy into the theater.

I am still waiting for the apologies from Hannity and Krauthammer and other right-wingers claiming Hillary was faking illness.They really showed their red a%%3% on that one. So, are they human enough to apologize or are they less than scum?

I am still waiting for the apologies from Hannity and Krauthammer and other right-wingers claiming Hillary was faking illness.They really showed their red a%%3% on that one. So, are they human enough to apologize or are they less than scum?

Why? Because of the conspiracy against her by the Praetorian guard, the fact that she created the aquaducts, the fact that she is being assasinated(in character), or are you calling her crazy? There is some dispute these days from a number of historians as to his madness these days so I know you don't mean that.

Some would say "'bout time" our country got a female leader on a par with what the non-distaff side has been doing since Republic formation.

In a baited field of government officials doing heinous things, precisely how does one calibrate a particular official as the pinnacle of wrongdoing without so much as giving context or making specific charges or comparisons?

If Secretary Clinton suggested water was wet, the hysterical right would wad their boxers into a bunch and scream that it was a lie and somehow make it into an evil conspiracy to dupe people with scientific gibberish.

In reality, women have had it with the Todd Akins-Rush Limbaugh Syndrome. Imbeciles and gasbags, have led this country to its ruin. We can't even pretend that we have a functioning government anymore.

We have a privileged, cabal of males who have ruined the economy for the majority, behaves hatefully towards women, Latinos, Blacks and Indians and non-Christians, 20% holds 89% of the wealth in the U.S. but despises a safety net for wage earners whose lives they destroy and who now want to destroy critical lands/water/acquifers that produce the crops that feed the nation and its livestock so that dirty imported oil can be shipped abroad.

Our situation is as bad as the story in Frankenstein but the latter was fiction.

Hillary we understand a woman in high political position. She was from a mid west Republican family. Bill Clinton today looks very good given the present circumstances though he did Nafta us all and signed the legislation of Republican Dereg including getting rid of Glass Stegal which ultimately broke the world economy. Other than all that he was fine. King George 'W' sent us into a spin via his response to 9/11 and the tax money surplus give back. Neither Hillary nor King George would have ever achieved their political positions without the fact that their father and husband were presidents achieved in their own right. So much for 'Royal Families' - thanks Hillary please don't run again, and oh yeah same to Jeb Bush or you may see me out there campaiging against them ... ALL ......... hehehehe!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Very interesting how the personality cultists does not deny the crimes of their beloved leader, or even try to rationalize them, but, rather, pretend they don't exist. Kind of like Nazis ignoring the oppression of Jews and Communists in praising their beloved leader. And resorting to argumentum ad hominem circumstantial: if you dislike Hillary's promotion of genocide, it is because you are an old white male; if you don't like der Fueher's marching Untermenschen into the concentration camps, it is because you are a Jew; if you object to Obomber's drones butchering children in Pakistan, Yemen, Afghanistan, it is because you are a Republican; etc. News for Hillary's fans: it is possible to object to genocide without regard to the gender, race, political party affiliation, or religion of the perpetrators.

Whoa, this article sure brought out the nut jobs. I say stop rattling their cage. Why on Earth would anyone care what John Bolton thinks about anything let alone Hilary after his steady string of disasters.

January 3I love Hillary Clinton. she is the kind of lady every red blooded American should be proud of. She will make a great president in 2016. Needless to say I will help out during her campaign. As for John Bolton, he is at the top of my right-wing nutcase list. He is the kind of an asshole every red blooded American should be ashamed of. As for Obama, he will end up as being one of the best presidents in American history.AygenDemocratIstanbul

Looks like they are very scared of Hillary going for president and they are starting early to swift boat her. Their usual way of getting rid of her. GOOD LUCK, GOP, after what you did to New York and New Jersey, who is left to vote for the GOP?????? Nice try, GOP but this time your true colors came thru.

They can say whatever they want because all Hillary is going to do is look at the wake of dust that covers the GOP in her rearview mirror. Americans are tired of dumb; we want smart, seasoned, rational and experienced in something other than jaws and lips flapping disengaged from the brain. A lot of us want a female executive because they bring a different skill set to the table.

I always told my very liberal friend, Eddie Smith, who just died, that you are underestimating the enemy. There is always a very good plan for all the seemingly stupid stuff they do. In this case it accomplished exactly what they wanted. They wanted John Kerry to be removed from his senate seat so that Scott Brown would be moved back in. And yes, every senate seat is important. How much did it cost (a lot from my pocket) to put Elizabeth Warren into Ted Kennedy's old seat? I believe the most ever spent on a senate race? It also starts the war against the person they right is afraid of, Hillary Clinton. Swift boating used by Dotty above would be an apt describtion of their attack. The third reason is that the right is afraid of cuts to the military budget which are coming. This even though they were the ones who refused to allow a bill to pass that would have upped the security at the places like Benghazi. Their over reaction is good politics from their point of view. Never underestimate this enemy. They buy the best from Madison Ave. Happy New Year my friends and enemies...lol...bobby t.

Benghazi also ruined the feel good that was supposed to happen after the election. They took that away with this accusation of the lying by the state department. It was, and still is, a battle plan. Talking points were given out like ak-47s. There is nothing stupid about these tactics. Beware of being taken in by seemingly stupid stuff. Sarah Palin almost won the vice presidentcy. She is uber sexy. Madison Ave knew this. It almost worked. Sex sells, doesn't it?

Congress is run by the best salesman and saleswomen, not the best statesman and women. I love Sanders and Franken and Warren. They too are sales people. Some people "buy" what they are selling, and some will not under any circumstances, even when it is bad for them. Think cigarettes! Fast food. We have a reptilian part of our brains. The best of Madison ave know how to manipulate that part of us. Rove and Limbaugh use the best experts. They will be back selling their wares shortly. Never underestimate them.

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